how are signals wired?

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

hey guys

I know that there is alot to this question, but in general how are signals wired? are they somehow connected to the power pack and a toggle swicth??

I hope somebody can clear this up

Jeremy

2

If your signals are just for show, you can use a toggle switch. More likely, though, you will want them to reflect what’s going on ahead of the locomotive. They can be wired to indicate the presence of trains ahead using photosensors, or they can be wired to indicate the position of turnouts.

I picked up some cheap relays, and wired them in parallel to my switch machines. Some switch machines come with these auxilliary inputs built-in, but not mine. I then wired up the signals to the relays, so they indicate turnout position.

3

I’ve done the same as MisterBeasley, and a step furthur. Most of my loco’s have DC conversion ( they stop if a diode is placed in the circuit ) so when the red light is showing the loco stops in the isolated section.
Toggle switch DPDT one side throws the turnout ( with a capacitor unit and pushbutton ) the other side switches a 3PDT relay.
1 pole for the signal light
1 pole for the red track light
1 pole for the green track light ( two tracks merge into one).

Works great, kids love it!!

Ken.